Student Immunization Policy

Student Immunization Policy 

This policy applies to all the students enrolled in undergraduate and graduate programs at Rhodes College. 

The Tennessee Department of Health has immunization requirements for those who attend college. All students should review the information at the Tennessee Department of Health, College Immunizations.

Rhodes College developed the following pre-entrance immunization requirements based on recommendations of the American College Health Association, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the Center for Disease Control, and the Tennessee Department of Health. 

Required Vaccinations for All Students Before Starting Classes Rhodes College requires that every student (undergraduate and graduate) who attends classes on campus or has an on-campus component to their program must show proof of receiving the following vaccinations before coming onto campus.

Required to submit records for the following vaccinations:

• Measles, Mumps, Rubella (2 doses of each, usually given together as MMR).
• Varicella (2 doses or credible history of disease)
• Hepatitis B (HBV) – only health science students are expected to have patient contact (before contact begins).
• Meningococcal - At a minimum of 1 dose given at 16 years of age, under 22, and living in on-campus housing
• TD/Tdap booster in the past ten (10) years.
• Completed TB Screen (a TB skin or equivalent test, chest x-ray, or proof of BCG vaccine). 

A positive serology (year of test documented) is acceptable as an alternative to immunization for measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis B, or varicella. For varicella, documentation of provider-diagnosed varicella or provider-verified credible history of disease given by a parent or guardian is also acceptable. By documenting a history of disease, the provider is asserting they are convinced that the student has had chickenpox. 

Recommended vaccinations: 

• COVID-19 Booster doses are recommended by CDC. 
• Hepatitis B vaccine: 3 doses 
• Hepatitis A vaccine: 2 doses 
• Varicella vaccine: 2 doses (if no history of chickenpox) 
• Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine: 2 doses 
• Annual influenza (flu) vaccine

Process for Submitting Immunization Records

Before moving on campus and or before the first day of classes, first-year undergraduate and graduate students must upload an Immunization Record completed and signed by a healthcare provider to the student’s Medicat patient portal or fax it to the Student Health Center (SHC). The annual deadline is on or around July 15 and is communicated on the SHC website, Medicat, and through communications to incoming first-year students. Medical and Religious Exemption forms are on the SHC website, in the student’s Medicat account, or can be requested by emailing health@rhodes.edu. Students requesting a medical or religious exemption should upload a completed exemption form and supporting documentation to their Medicat account. Exemptions must be approved before moving on to campus and before the first day of classes. 

Students requesting a medical or religious exemption should upload a completed exemption form and supporting documentation to their Medicat account.

Exemptions must be approved before moving on to campus and before the first day of classes.